Small Prairie 4561 Restoration diary
Progress reports from Williton, Minehead and Lancashire, with photographs, from 2020 to today.
Brake gear refitted at Williton
Pictures by Matt Healey WSRA’s Small Prairie Tank 4561 has taken another step forward with the brake gear being refitted. The chassis is currently being worked on by…
Side tank riveting nears completion
Today the tank was lifted and turned onto its back so we could use the ‘squeezer’ with the hydraulic power pack to close up the 50 rivets that…
Eccentrics machined and fitted
Pictures by Matt Healey The pictures show.the machining and fitting of 4561’s eccentrics after white metaling. First published on the WSRA 4561 restoration blog.
Side tank top sheet in place
Before the top sheet was finally put in position the fixing bolts for the air vent, feed pipe bracket and top inspection cover were welded in place. These…
Chassis work at Williton: rod bearings
Work is continuing on the chassis at Williton. Thanks to Ryan & Matt for their work on the rod bearing. First published on the WSRA 4561 restoration blog.
Side tanks: drilling the inside platework
Further Progress is being made on 4561’s at Minehead All of the 10mm holes that were laser cut in the inside platework have now been drilled through and…
Side tank outer sheets fitted
More Progress on the Side Tanks Paul Orrells reports more good progress at Minehead, all of the fixing holes for the outside sheets have been drilled. The sheets…
The right-hand side tank takes shape
Work continues on the Side Tanks Work has proceeded extremely well on the right hand tank over the last few weeks as per the attached pictures. 7/10/2025 –…
Side tank sections shot blasted and painted
More progress on the Side Tanks As we approach the end of September 2025 Paul Orrells writes: The two bottom floor sections and the two front sides of…
New side tanks started at Minehead
Side Tanks A team of 4 volunteers in Minehead workshops who built the replacement water tank for tender T2061, presently running with Odney Manor, have made arrangements to…
Boiler assessment and the decision to build new side tanks
Boiler It’s been a while since we bid goodbye to 4561’s boiler and waved it off on its journey to Rileys. Riley’s then had to complete a full…
Boiler at Riley and Son: firebox removed
It’s been almost 6 months since this blog was last updated and things have moved on quite a lot. There was a pause in proceedings whilst the Trustees…